A breed apart

By his own admission, Arik Levy likes being unconventional. The multi-faceted designer, artist and sculptor known for his progressive thinking, believes that life is a system of signs and symbols, where nothing is quite as it seems. It is based on this philosophy that he tries to investigate the relationship between visible and invisible, full and empty, existing and absent, tangible and intangible.

Originally from Tel Aviv, Israel but based in Paris, the founding partner of studio L Design is known for his atypical design vocabulary which helps him transform everyday household objects into works of art. "The world is about people, not objects, and we design for them," explains Levy. With the universe as a canvas to his imagination, he makes an effort to forge an association through the medium of his products. Take for instance, the Tuile de Cristal chandelier made by him for French crystal manufacturer Baccarat. Available in two variants -Piccadilly and Frozen-the source diffracts lights through its juxtaposition on a white metal canvas. Another case can be the Fire Tribe collection of vases made for Italian ceramic maker Bitossi Ceramiche. While trying to play around with the natural charm of ceramics, Levy goes beyond the usual fare and brings forward a contrast of vermilion red and black colour combination in the form of differently-sized and shaped pieces.

"I design for the living environment and aim at improving day-today life through function, beauty and environmental issues. The materials and design process vary from one project to other," he says. It is no surprise that his works of genius range from consumer electronics, furniture, lighting, cosmetics, books and graphic designs to packaging and interior architecture.

Known for his signature blend of technical skills and aesthetic sensibility, Levy had a rather humble beginning before he tasted success. "Many years ago, I established my graphic design studio and a surf shop in Israel where I undertook divers work in different fields. I was self-taught and kept learning spending days and night to try and understand what is printing and how does it work. This happened along with my artwork activity and the surfing business," he explains.

Later, he went on to get his degree in Industrial Design from the Art Center of Europe. "My first company L Design was set up in Paris with designer Pippo Lionni. The idea was that design would get me space, time and opportunities to practice artwork. Both careers have developed in parallel and I am now running all these activities from my new company, Arik Levy," he says.

The company is today active in the broad landscape of multi-disciplinary design side by side to the art studio activities. His clients include Baccarat, Vitra, Ligne Roset, Lanvin, Issey Miyake and Kaldewei, and he shows his work at trade shows around the world.

That Levy is an equally deft master sculptor is evident from his mind-blowing works. Like the Human Canyon installation 2013 exhibit titled Bathing in Light which was showcased at Milan Design Week in April last year. Giving a new meaning to the story of Turkish natural stone-marble, it invites people to walk through it and feel it as if they were in a canyon of transformation, a journey of transition from one state of mind to another, from liquid to solid and back.

"When I was asked to take part in this project and read the brief, the first image that jumped to my mind was the power of the stone," explains Levy. The horizontal levels of the installation describe the history and time line that the stone will take to form itself. Another piece worth mentioning is the next generation of Levy 'rocks', a development of his widely acclaimed Rock Table. These outdoor sculptures, made in mirrorpolished stainless steel, like some kind of reflecting faceted diamonds, are an intriguing paradox of the primeval and the futuristic.

We all know that good dressing is largely a question of detail and accessories. For Levy, it is subjective and personal but also, functional and decorative.

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